cornish_wrestling
Cornish Wrasslin'
 (Cornish Wrestling)

I found this report which appeared in

"The Morning Chronicle" (London) Tuesday 2 October 1827 

Although not about the Parish of Morvah it certainly relates to Cornish life and I am sure the people of Morvah were fans of the sport and may have even travelled to watch the event

The Contest took place at Penzance and the names of many fine Cornish wrestlers and the parishes they represented are mentioned.

Transcribed by Heather Carbis

WRESTLING

   PENZANCE, SEPT. 27, 1827.- The grand wrestling at this place commenced about half-past ten on Monday forenoon, the 24th instant.  The ring, fifty-five paces diameter, was formed in a field belonging to George JOHN Esq. of Rosemorran, adjoining the road leading to Newlyn.  Mr. POLKINGHORNE, the champion of England, and Mr. Richard SAUNDRY, in his day the champion of the West, were the well chosen umpires.  The high estimation in which each of these celebrated wrestlers is held, had great influence, and prevented any appeal from their decision.  It was highly gratifying to behold two such men gracing the ring as judges ; the former in all the strength and vigour of middle life - the latter retaining in a considerable degree his strength, and entirely his unperturbed and manly mind on the verge of seventy.

 To be a standard, the person is to throw two men.

   At twelve o'clock the sight was very imposing - some thousands of the most athletic young men that the world can produce (each of whom would have honoured Leonidas at the Straits of Thermopylae, Buonaparte in passing the Bridge of Lodi, or even Wellington himself at the Battle of Waterloo), seated or standing, in perfect silence and order, and with intense interest, to witness and participate in a sport for which their ancestors were so justly renowned.  It was impossible for any man, deserving that name,  to behold the spectacle of so many manly youths assembled on such an occasion, without emotions of admiration and delight, and without gratulating himself as belonging to the species.  It was a sight and ocassion, as connected with the maintenance of strength, courage, and agility, among the people, worthy the countenance, presence, encouragement, and support of Majesty itself. 

   On the first day, the 24th, a great deal of fine play was exhibited ; at the close 30 standards were made.   To some of our readers the names of the wrestlers, and the parishes to which they belong, may be amusing, as Cornishmen, like Scotchmen, are scattered everywhere.

 NAMES
NAMES
   1. John PELEW, St. Erth
 24. Wm. WILLIAMS, St. Just
   2. John GILBERT, St. Enoder 
 25. John CURNOW, Trewednack
   3. Thos. QUICK, Ludgvan
 26. S. PRIDEAUX, Camborne
   4. Jas. ROOKE, Probus
 27. Joseph FOX, Gulval
   5. Jas. EDDY, St. Just
 28. Wm. RICHARDS, Ma_gan
   6. Michael COCK, St. Just
 29. Charles FRIGGENS, St. Just
   7. Wm. CHOLICK, St. Erth
 30. Rd. FALL, Crowan
   8. J. BERRYMAN, Trewednack
 31. J. WARREN, St. Just
   9. John MARTIN,    ditto
 32. J. TREZISE,  ditto
 10. Abm. RICHARDS, Paul 
 33. R. MATHEWS, Gwinear
 11. T. TREWHELLA, Crowan
 34. J. PENBERTHY, St. Just
 12. John JAMES, St. Just
 35. J. TEMBY, Camborne
 13. John ROWE, Crowan
 36. J. PASCOE, Sithney
 14. Thos. CHAMPION, ditto
 37. J. KEMP, St. Ives
 15. Arch. CAZELEY, St. Just
 38. W. SEMMENS, St. Creet
 16. H. ROWE, Gulval
 39. E. FOX, St. Erth
 17. Matthew RODDA, Crowan
 40. W. TREMBATH, St, Just
 18. James CLEMENCE, St. Just
 41. R. CUNDY, St. Columb
 19. T. MAGER, Breage
 42. J. ROWE, Trewednack
 20. Wm. RODDA, Crowan
 43. E. BLEE, Breage
 21. H. MICHELL, St. IVES
 44. J. WARREN, jun., St. Just
 22. John RODDA, Crowan
 45. W. PRYOR, Sithney
 23. John WEBB, Breage
 46. Peter TEMBY, Crowan

   Six prize wrestlers were thrown in making the first 30 standards.  The second day (the 25th) was very rainy, but the sport continued until the middle of the afternoon, when it terminated in the double play*, FRIGGENS throwing John ROWE.  As this would have been the grand day, but for the rain, multitude of men were pouring in early from every direction.

  DOUBLE PLAY. PRYOR threw H. ROWE ; J. ROWE, MICHELL ; WEBB, CUNDY ; CLEMENCE, GILBERT ; FOX, MEAGER ;  William RODDA, ROOKE COCK, TREWELLA ; BERRYMAN, CHOLICK ; M. RODDA, MARTIN ; BLEE, A. RICHARDS ; JAMES, TEMBY ; FRIGGENS, J. ROWE (Trewednack) ; EDDY, Wm. RICHARDSWARREN, PRIDEAUX ; FALL, QUICK ; MATHEWS, WILLIAMS ; PENBERTHY, E. FOX ; TREZISE, PASCOE ; SEMMENS, KEMP ; TREMBATH, J. RODDA ; WARREN jun., J. TEMBY ; CAZELEY, CHAMPION ; and CURNOW, PELEW.

    TRIPLE PLAY. - WARREN threw John CORNOW ; COCK, BLEE ; EDDY,  ROWE  M. RODDA,  CAZELEYBERRYMAN,  JAMES ;  TREMBATH,  SEMMENS Wm. RODDA, TREZISE ; CLEMENCE, FOX FRIGGENS, FALL PENBERTHY, MATHEWS ; WARRENWEBB.

  QUADRUPLE PLAY. - BERRYMAN threw EDDY  M. RODDA, WARREN jun. ; FRIGGENS, COCK WARRENTREMBATH ; Wm. RODDA, John PENBERTHY  CLEMENCE odd man by let.

   QUINTUPLE PLAY. - CLEMENCE, M. RODDA ; WARRENW. RODDA ; FRIGGENS, BERRYMAN ; these three tossed for the best prizes.  First fell to CLEMENCE ; second to WARREN ; third to FRIGGENS BERRYMAN after that threw M. RODDA, and William RODDA gave in to him, he had therefore the fourth prize ;  W RODDA the fifth, M RODDA the sixth.



PARISHES
PRIZES
 The best man
 CLEMENCE
 St. Just
 12 sovs.
 Second
 WARREN
  do.
  7  do.
 Third
 FRIGGENS
  do.
  4  do.
 Fourth
 BERRYMAN
 Trewednack
  2  do.
 Fifth
 W. RODDA
 Crowan
 Gold-laced hat
 Sixth
 M. RODDA
    do.
 Silver-laced hat

   Yesterday, the last day, was very favourable, the weather fine.  Nothing could exceed the _ _ _ _ _  this day, and the deep attention and interest marked in the
_ _ _ntenance
 of the spectators.  Every one was anxious about the result, in proportion as his inclination favoured the competitors.  All was fair and manly, and each being a prime player, exhibited in the struggle for superiority all the fine qualities that strength, courage, and skill could display ; and all this with the most perfect  command of temper.  It would astonish a person not accustomed to witness such a scene, to observe the firmness  with which each man kept his ground, and the acuteness with which he seized the slightest oversight of his atongonist.  It is by this that the practice of wrestling has the advantage of increasing the energies of both mind and body, without the disgusting accompaniments of injuring and disfiguring the combatants.  Several of the magistrates and principle gentlemen of the western district attended.  It would be injustice not to mention, that Capt. CHENALLS, the energetic revivor and promoter of the venerable gymnastics of the county, brought into Penzance a hundred admirable wrestlers from St. Just, Penwith.  Thus terminated this glorious contest of strength and science, without accident or disorder.

    * A double player is one that throws two standards, and so on.

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Sites With More Information on Cornish Wrestling

Cornish World Magazine

Early Cornish Wrestling